After more than three decades of neglect, the reconstruction of the Makurdi–Otukpo–9th Mile road is now in full swing under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

This vital federal artery, first built in the 1960s, had been abandoned by successive governments, leaving it in a perilous state. The long-awaited dualisation project, a 260km corridor linking North-Central and South-East Nigeria, was officially flagged off in September 2025.

Despite his lengthy tenure as Senate President (2007–2015), Senator David Mark, a native of the Idoma land this road traverses, was unable to secure its reconstruction. The project’s neglect under his watch had become a point of deep frustration for local residents.

However, under President Tinubu, substantial progress is now visible. The Benue State government has paid over ₦4.6 billion in compensation, and by January 2026, 120km of the road had been completed. This swift action has drawn widespread praise from citizens who have endured the road’s dangers for generations.

Local residents and commuters have expressed profound relief. Business owners, despite facing short-term losses from necessary demolitions, have largely welcomed the project as a long-overdue development. A representative of the Otukpo community confirmed that their people have “suffered for years due to the abandoned road” and expressed immense gratitude that the government finally prioritised their plight.

The Benue State government has hailed the project as a “game-changer” that will revolutionise transportation, agriculture, and trade across the state and beyond.